[Lowfer] Small Loop Making Ideas

[Mike WE0H]

Pictures please???? hi hi...

Mike
WE0H


Peter Barick wrote:
> LF Gents,
>
> I am now using a small 7-foot multi-turn outdoors loop. This one includes some new construction that may be helpful to others.
>
> Like many other LF'rs I use and like PVC pipe in all its sizes. Here it's used at the ends of each of the 6 arms. A short 4-inch piece is drilled as a force fit across each arm. A small 1/8 in. piece of a pvc coupler is cut off and is glued at each end piece end. This keeps windings from slipping off during the winding process. Especially important if winding by one's self -- "hold them windings" ! I've come up with this after problems with falling windings with the last loop.
>
> The arms were found at the Farm and Fleet store, they're 3/8In X  4Ft fiberglass fence posts. These were trimmed for size but could be part of a larger 8Ft loop. They have a chamfered tip, that is pointed outward where the end piece slips over and grips the chamfer in a smaller ending hole, gripping it. This method is self-locking, no screws or glue needed.
>
> The F-G poles are afixed to a center piece of 3/4In plywood well sealed. No drilling of the poles as small strips (2) of sheet metal were formed around each arm and 7 inches apart and these are screwed into the centerboard. I used small no. 4 screws that I had.
>
> The centerboard attaches to a specially cut 5Ft 2X4. It's bottom is cut and trimmed to fit into the main support PVC tube. I used a 1 1/2In pipe. This piece is cut to accept a PVC coupling piece which then serves as a bearing for a "slip ring" made from scrap 3/4 plywood that's drilled for guying lines, 3 used here. They connect to 18In earth screws via synthetic rope.
>
> Finally, I used 20 turns of no. 20 wire (almost 2MH inductance). The windings are space adjusted, say 1/16In gap and RTV compound is worked onto each end piece to get good adherence to the piece.
>
> The antennal is set out from the house on its 6FT mount. I'm working on the tuning box, a discarded telephone service box that will hold a torride and switch-activated caps for tuning.
>
> Ha, the read proof of all this is surviving the winter's storms come spring.
>
> -- Pete